Kewell out for a month with groin injury

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Unlucky Socceroo Harry Kewell is expected to be out for at least
a month as he battles a groin injury.

Kewell, who looked back to his best in Liverpool's recent 3-1
win over Newcastle at Anfield, has struggled with injury since his
£5 million ($12.77m) move from Leeds United 18 months
ago.

"Harry saw a specialist on Wednesday and has received an
injection in his groin," Liverpool spokesman Ian Cotton said on the
club's website. "He is likely to be out of action between four and
five weeks."

Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren has vowed to fight off
any bids for Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer during the
January transfer period.

Schwarzer, 32, has been linked with Arsenal and Manchester
United after playing a major part in Boro's rise to prominence this
season.

That he has not signed a new contract, despite months of
discussions, has added to the speculation. But McClaren has warned
he has no intention of allowing one of his key men to leave.

Boro will continue to talk to Schwarzer, who joined the club in
a £1.5 million move from Bradford in February 1997, during
the next few weeks.

Asked whether he still expected the keeper to be on Teesside on
February 1, McClaren replied: "Yes, most definitely. To be
perfectly honest, I have never even thought of the idea of Mark
Schwarzer leaving this football club in January.

"We have no intention of losing Mark at this present moment. I
have had no indication from Mark whatsoever that he wants to leave.
We do not want him to leave."